Pasta recipes

Penne in tomato sauce with crabmeat is a simple Italian pasta where plum tomatoes, white wine, and soft onion cook down into a light sauce, then get tossed with flaked crab for sweet briny richness.

Mac and cheese meets soufflé in this puffy baked dish studded with sliced franks. Dijon mustard and sharp cheddar give it grown-up flavor kids still love.

Oxtail is one of the most economical and most flavorful cuts of meat, and one that takes well to marinating for days in a hearty mixture of red wine, herbs, and vegetables. The longer you marinate the mixture, the more flavorful it will be, but be sure it marinates at least 3 days. Oxtail is also a fatty cut -- give yourself plenty of time to allow the stew to cook and then cool, so all the fat can be skimmed off. Serve this with thick noodles in warmed soup bowls, accompanied by a tossed salad, and of course, a robust red wine.

Dad's linguine with white clam sauce keeps it light and simple: canned clams and their briny liquid simmered with onion, garlic, and parsley, then tossed with linguine and parmesan. A pantry-friendly weeknight clam pasta.

Mac and cheese loaded with chopped ham, crushed pineapple, green bell pepper, and onion in a creamy American cheese sauce. Hawaiian pizza flavors in pasta form.

Classic Bucatini all'Amatriciana with crispy pancetta, fresh tomato sauce, chili peppers, white wine, and Pecorino Romano. An authentic Roman pasta that simmers into something extraordinary.

Penne with pumpkin cream sauce, red bell pepper, and fresh nutmeg finished with Parmesan. A cozy fall pasta for two that uses canned pumpkin puree for a silky, savory sauce in under 35 minutes.

Layered chili mac and cheese with homemade cheddar sauce, seasoned ground beef, and a crunchy cornflake crumb topping. Baked until bubbly and golden, this casserole feeds a family of six.

Low calorie macaroni bake uses skim milk, cottage cheese, and dill in a from-scratch white sauce topped with breadcrumbs and paprika. Creamy comfort food without the guilt.

Vegetable spaghetti with sauteed bell pepper, zucchini, mushrooms, and onion in jarred marinara over thin pasta. A 30-minute weeknight pasta the whole family will eat.

My Italian husband uses this filling to make tortellini at home, and it's by far the most delicious filling. He does change the meat around, and we love them all! It's freezer friendly, so we usually make a bunch.

Orzo with vegetables, a one-pot Mediterranean pasta with zucchini, carrots, onion, and eggplant simmered in vegetable broth. A light, vegetarian weeknight dinner in 30 minutes.

Fresh steamer clams cooked in white wine with shallots and herbs, then tossed with linguine in a garlicky, reduced clam broth sauce. Light, briny, and naturally diabetic-friendly with just one tablespoon of olive oil.

Skillet macaroni barbecue: elbow pasta simmered one-pot with stewed tomatoes, barbecue sauce, sweet corn, peppers, onions, and melted cheddar on top. A vegetarian weeknight skillet dinner that tastes like a cowboy diner plate.

Fettuccine with grilled summer vegetables: smoky charred eggplant, zucchini, peppers, tomatoes, and onion tossed with mashed roasted garlic, basil, and thyme over hot pasta.

Baked rigatoni loaded with shredded roast beef in a quick crushed tomato sauce, topped with bubbly provolone and mozzarella. A meaty pasta bake ready in 40 minutes.